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<p>No, it is not the same.</p>
<p>Lying to a federal investigator is a crime, whether you are under oath or not. </p>
<p>It has nothing to do with perjury. Ask Martha Stewart.</p>
<p>[Lying</a> is a Crime](<a href=“http://gbr.pepperdine.edu/043/lying.html]Lying”>Businesspersons Beware: Lying is a Crime - A Peer-Reviewed Academic Articles | GBR)</p>
<p>*Title 18 of the U.S. Code Section 1001, which states that: (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any judicial matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully (1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact; (2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or (3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or entry shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years or both.</p>
<p>Under this statute it is a crime to knowingly and willfully make any materially false statement concerning any matter within the jurisdiction of the United States. The falsehood must be material; but this requirement is met if the statement has the natural tendency to influence or [is] capable of influencing the decision of the decision making body which receives the false statement. This statute has an extraordinarily wide scope. Unlike perjury, the false statement need not be given under oath. Any statement, whether made orally or in writing, can violate this law. </p>
<p>The statements need not be made in a formal setting. Any false statement made to any federal agent is enough.*</p>